Journal of progress on my 1935 Ford pickup hot rod build

06/10/2014

Oldsmobile Rocket Engine, Ready for Launch

A week or two ago I promised a look at the near final engine. This 1949 mill has turned out real nice in my opinion. So nice, that I'd like to think GM's then chief engineer Charles Kettering would have been proud.

June 2013. Here's a look at the barn fresh motor that'd eventually be restored for my little hot rod truck

Teardown begins. The first order of business was to make sure the engine block was still solid

It can be confusing trying to identify a vintage engine. The shop manual specified the casting numbers for the block

Sure enough, this is a genuine Oldsmobile Rocket 303. I still love the original flecks of gold paint from the GM factory

If you recall, I actually bought two engines, the 303 and a 371. Good thing I did too as we were able to salvage the best parts of both to restore the '49 mill

Here's the block all cleaned up over at L and R Engine in Santa Fe Springs CA. The proprietor Larkin is a stand up guy, I highly recommend his shop. What a joy they've been to work with

People sometimes ask me if we've used any new parts on this project. The answer is, I don't know how you could build one otherwise. I've tried to use as many original parts as possible, but as evidenced by this pile of hardware destined for my engine you sometimes have to go with new parts for reliability

With an open engine bay the valve covers bring out a lot of personality in the engine. For this hot rod, I couldn't think of using anything other than original 1953 Rocket covers. Thanks eBay!

I really wanted a genuine Clay Smith cam in this motor. I was happy to have this longstanding speed shop make a small contribution to my truck

The engine upon arrival back at Fullerton Fabrication

I just love that glass bowl on the fuel filter. Rudy had started painting the engine and reconditioned parts were slowly being installed

Before and after. Who would have known that these vintage parts would clean up so nice after polishing?

And here she is. Cleaned up real nice for a 65 year old, huh? Chrome courtesy of Buena Park Chrome and custom headers by Circle City Hot Rods. Everything else, the handiwork of the boss at Fullerton Fabrication. Click the image for a larger version

Click the image for a closer look

You may recall an earlier post where I described the custom spacers needed to run the vintage valve covers. Once they were painted they really disappear as is evidenced by this shot